Canon has launched its latest digital press for industrial-scale packaging printing, the corrPRESS iB17, at the FEFCO (European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers) Technical Seminar 2025 in Rome.
Capable of digitally printing up to 8,000 m2 per hour (15 million m2 per year), the corrPRESS iB17 delivers offset-like quality directly onto corrugated boards up to 1.7 m wide with water-based inks and primer for indirect food contact.
The highly automated corrPRESS iB17 enables cost-efficient short- to medium-length runs with ultra-fast turnaround times, and requires fewer operators and lower skill levels.
Building on Canon’s expertise in commercial digital printing and following the development roadmap presented as a concept at drupa 2024, the Canon corrPRESS iB17 aims to address the evolving needs of corrugated converters that face increasing pressure to deliver shorter runs with more variants, faster turnaround times and premium quality, and all without compromising cost efficiency.
The corrPRESS iB17 allows converters to achieve cost-efficient production for runs up to 20,000 m2, extending digital printing viability beyond traditional short-runs. Supported by automated printhead cleaning and quality control systems, the press minimises operator intervention while maximising production efficiency.
The system’s design also reduces waste through efficient print on demand and eliminates the use of printing plates and chemicals. Unlike conventional technologies, the corrPRESS iB17 does not produce contaminated water, which then has to be filtered or released into the wastewater system.
Featuring proprietary, high-performance 1,200dpi piezo printheads and specially formulated water-based pigment inks and primer, which provide an extended colour gamut with CMYK and later OVG, the corrPRESS iB17 achieves pre-print offset-like quality in the post-print process.
This improves production efficiency by eliminating the traditional lamination step while reproducing vibrant, accurate and consistent colours, sharp text and precise detail on both coated and uncoated topliners at rated speeds.
The system also uses an advanced spot primer that ensures optimal ink adhesion and colour reproduction across the full range of corrugated materials. The ink is jetted onto the board immediately after the primer application without any drying in between, minimising the impact of drying on the board and contributing to a highly reliable production process.
The Canon drying technology in the corrPRESS iB17 has been optimised to minimise corrugated board stress and energy consumption and to increase production efficiency. Covering approximately 80 per cent of retail packaging applications, the system supports coated and uncoated boards up to 1.7m wide and 1.3m long, and ranging from 1mm to 8mm thick, at a linear speed of 80m per minute.
Canon Production Printing chief marketing officer and senior vice-president Peter Wolff said, “By combining proven proprietary inkjet technology with an industrial board transport system, we’ve developed an innovative press that delivers offset-quality prints with outstanding productivity and digital flexibility, all developed for indirect food contact applications.
“Designed for seamless integration into existing production environments, the highly automated corrPRESS iB17 extends the economic benefits of digital printing far beyond traditional short-run applications.
“Although Canon is new to the corrugated market, we bring decades of industrial inkjet expertise which enables us to deliver a digital press that will empower converters to transform their operations while maintaining the reliability their businesses depend on.”
Canon Production Printing Oceania managing director Craig Nethercott added, “The corrPRESS iB17 is a game-changer for the Oceania market. It brings high-speed, offset-quality digital printing to corrugated packaging, helping converters meet growing demand for fast, flexible and sustainable production. We’re excited to support our customers in transforming their operations with this breakthrough technology”.
